Holman Stadium plans road race, kids field day, fireworks

NASHUA — Festivities galore have been planned for Thursday at Holman Stadium as the city, and the nation, celebrates its independence with patriotic fanfare and an abundance of fireworks.

“We are anticipating between 6,000 or 7,000 people for the fireworks display at the stadium,” said Nicholas Caggiano, superintendent of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Fourth of July activities will kick off at 8 a.m. with the Revolution Run to benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Nashua and Greater Salem. There will be separate 5K and 10K races, and participants are welcome to register the day of the event.

The registration fee is $40 for adults, $20 for ages 11 to 18 and $5 for ages 10 and under.

The Children’s Field Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Holman Stadium on Amherst Street.

“Everything is free for this event, which is family-oriented and filled with activities,” said Caggiano.

Games, bouncy houses, relay races, face painting, magicians and a caricaturist will be on hand to keep children occupied, said Caggiano.

Families are welcome to return to Holman Stadium for a free concert by Boston City Rhythm from 6 to 8 p.m.

“This is such a great event. We encourage people to come early, bring a blanket and get comfortable in the outfield,” said Caggiano. “We expect it to be a lot of fun.”

At 8 p.m. on Thursday, a brief ceremony will be held to induct a father and son into the Holman Stadium Sports Legends Hall of Fame. The late Joe Andruskevich will be inducted along with his son, Greg Andruskevich of Nashua.

Joe Andruskevich was a 1938 graduate of Nashua High and was on the first football and baseball teams to play at Holman Stadium in 1936. His son, Greg, a longtime Veterans Page editor for the New Hampshire Union Leader who also worked for The Telegraph, serves as a volleyball and lacrosse official and chairman of the Mine Falls Park Advisory Commission.

At 8:30 p.m., the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps will perform, followed by the highly anticipated fireworks celebration at 9 p.m. RS Fireworks of Hudson has been hired for the display.

“With all of the rain in the forecast, we are really hoping for some good weather,” said Caggiano. If it does rain on Thursday night, he said the fireworks will take place on Saturday instead.

Nashua police are planning for about 8,000 people for the fireworks display.

In addition to the 15 officers on duty for the night shift, Lt. E. Zenus Paulson of the Nashua Police Department said about 40 additional officers will be on detail in and around Holman Stadium for the festivities.

“Our presence is usually enough to quell any incidents,” said Paulson.

City fire, police and emergency management crews are working together to ensure a safe event for citizens, added Paulson.

“We want everyone to enjoy the holiday, but we want it to be done safely,” he said.

In light of last year’s fireworks explosion in Pelham in which several individuals were burned, Paulson encouraged citizens to enjoy the free fireworks display being organized by the city rather than attempt their own fireworks show.